Abstract: Physiological electrodes are provided for use with a magnetic connector to complete an electrical circuit between the body of a patient and an electrical instrument. These electrodes contain a ferromagnetic material to complete a magnetic circuit with a magnetic member on an associated lead wire. This ferromagnetic material is included in an electrically conductive electrode element that contains an electrically conductive material, such as a saline gel, and the ferromagnetic material is isolated from the electrically conductive medium to prevent corrosion. The electrodes are provided with an arrangement for securing the electrode element to the body of a patient, and a separating member is provided to prevent the electrically conductive electrode element from contacting the skin of the patient in certain applications. In some embodiments, an appropriate restraining structure is provided to minimize the possibility of accidental disconnect.

Abstract: A monitoring electrode system is provided in which just two electrodes and their corresponding lead lines may be utilized for a monitoring unit, such as an ECG, having three input terminals and normally requiring signals from three electrodes. To achieve such a two lead system, a body tissue impedance simulating circuit is included to provide an automatic reference line signal at the third input terminal. Protection against high voltages and radio frequency interference is provided by various circuits, such as a high voltage protection circuit, a low pass filter network or an RF choke filter network. In the preferred embodiment hereof, a pair of electrodes are provided with a connecting plug which engages a corresponding connector at the end of a cable extending from the ECG monitor. Preferably, the body tissue impedance simulating circuit and any protective circuits are located in the connector at the end of the ECG cable.

Abstract: Physiological electrode systems are based upon the utilization of a single pair of electrode elements to provide for physiological function monitoring of a patient, electrical stimulation of the patient, and electrical therapeutic treatment of the patient. The monitoring instrument, the stimulating instrument and the therapeutic instrument may be connected to the electrode elements separately or in various combinations. Preferably, the electrode elements are provided as a disposable set which are connected to the various instruments through appropriate cables. These cables may be interrelated to permit combinations of the instruments to be simultaneously connected to the electrode elements, with suitable protection being provided to prevent the instruments from adversely affecting one another. Aspects of the cables and electrode sets may be utilized to provide separate monitoring, stimulating and therapeutic electrode systems.